"Great Christians Needed"

09/01/2022 13:28

Link to sermon.

Text: Matthew 20:20-28

Title: Great Christians Needed - Apply Within

 

Introduction:

 

 ill. Excited to hear that God has answered our prayers for Calum to find a job - McDonalds.

 exp. It is fun to see our young people getting their first job.

 

 ill. I remember my first job - loading skeet at a rod and gun club.

- sitting down in a cement inclosure

- The mechanical thrower was controlled by another young person

- I got paid out of the till in the pub - mom said I was done.

 

ill. My main job for the next 7 years was as an employee at McDonalds.

- We had a good store and it was well managed.

- I became a closer and was making pretty good money when I was in college.

 

When you get a job (whether first job or otherwise) - you want to do well at what you do.

 

Those who are hiring - often have pre-requisites - .....

- Needed - zoo keeper  - must have experience with animals.

exp. If you don't have a veterinarian degree.....unlikely they will hire you.

- Bank  - must have a degree in finance.

 

And so - if you are looking for a job - you are looking at your qualifications and trying to find a good fit.

 

You often see signs that say....

- Help needed - apply within....

 

This morning - our text is Matthew 20:20-28.

God's - "Help Needed" sign is out.....

The sign says, "Great Christians Needed."

 

YOU OUGHT TO BE A GREAT CHRISTIAN WORKER FOR GOD.

 

- Do you have what it takes to get the job? Would you be qualified to hold that position?

 

I. You won't be successful....

exp. Sometimes it is good to know what will definitely keep you from getting hired.

 ill. Don't apply as a librarian if you are really loud. We have a friend who is a librarian who struggles with this. 

 exp. You won't make a great librarian if you don't learn to be quiet.

 app. You won't be succesful at being a great Christian.....if....

A. If you have any ideas of "self promotion."

20  Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

21  And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

exp. James and John were great disciples. They were some of the first disciples called by Jesus.

Mathew 4:18  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20  And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

21  And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

22  And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

 exp. I don't know if this was their mum's idea - I can see my mum asking something like this and me saying, "Mum, I'm so embarrassed.... and she'd probably say - well if you don't ask...." 

  note: Here is some good advice - if you are seeking to be a great Christian - don't promote self.

ill. God's Word to Baruch, the son of Neriah - Jeremiah's scribe - Jeremiah 45:5  And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not:

Psalm 75:6  For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

7  But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

app. Do you want to be a Great Christian? (Great Christians are needed.) Don't be someone who is seeking to promote yourself. A great Christian is not someone seeking self promotion.

 transition: Great Chrisitans are needed! - You won't succeed if.....

B. If you are applying with "ambition."

 exp. A little ambition - isn't necesarily a bad thing. But, sometimes ambition can get you into difficulty. You may think you can do something when really you can't.

 ill. Someone may think they can cater a wedding - bake a wedding cake - they may mean well....

exp. James and John had ambition, but that wasn't going to make them great Christians..

1. You don't know what you will truly do for God.

22  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with:

exp. James and John are asked if they could drink the cup of suffering and baptism of fire that Jesus Himself would go through - they answer that they would do so.....

ill. You remember Peter's great declaration which proceeded his denial.

Matthew 26:31  Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

32  But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

33  Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

 note:  Like Peter - their ambition would fail on the Eve of the crucifixion.

Mat 26:56  But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

 app. Do you think you will do something great for God? Ambition of itself, does not make a great Christian. Your ambition may let you down....as it did James and John. 

2. You don't get to decide where God places you in his kingdom.

23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

exp. Eventually, like Peter, they would suceed in tasting the cup and baptism of suffering which Jesus endured. 

HOWEVER, their place in God's kingdom was not at the beck and call of their ambition.

 NOTE: If they had a great place, it would be because God prepared that place for them.

 ill. King David - was made King by God - but David was content wherever God put him.

Psa 84:10  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

App. Great Chrisitans are needed - but ambition isn't the way to Christian greatness. James and John had ambition - but they would fail and the only place they would get is the one God gave.

transition: Great Christians are needed. (Self promotion, ambition - not the answer....)

C. If you are indignant that others want a higher place than you.

24  And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

exp. They wanted first place in the kingdom of God. Their brethren's ambition was getting in the way of their plans. They were indignant. 

ill. Anyone with a group of children - school - home - knows what it is like to have someone upset - because they didn't get chosen - maybe someone asked before them and got what they wanted.

note: A teacher may adjust things to try to meet the "hurt" of that child.

JESUS WASN'T GOING TO ADJUST THINGS IN GLORY BECAUSE OF THEIR JEALOUSY.

 exp. They were just as bad for being upset at James and John as J and J were for their ambition.

 app. How are we doing as Great Christians IF we get jealous of the promotion of other believers.

Php 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

transition: Great Christians are needed - Indignation isn't going to make us a great Christian.

D. If you want a "position" of power in God's kingdom.

25  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, 

exp. I love how simply the Son of God teaches. A life lesson has just been brought to light. He realizes that they want to be great Christians - BUT A POSITION IS NOT THE ANSWER.

1. Greatness is not dominating others.

Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, ....26 But it shall not be so among you....

exp. Gentile - The Romans - were over the Jews.

 ill. Jesus submitted to their authority as did all the Jews.

Matthew 17:24  And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

25  He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

26  Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

 exp. These Jewish men knew that one day Jesus would reign over the Romans. Their idea of greatness was that they would rule. 

(THEY APPLIED THAT SAME IDEA AMONG THEMSELVES)

  app. Jesus says - that's not the way it works among Christians. You are not a great Christian because you have a position over others.

2. Greatness is not commanding others.

... and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 ...but it shall not be so among you....

exp. They had to pay taxes - they were told that they must pay taxes - they had to obey. That meant the the Romans were greater because they had authority over the jews. 

(THEY THOUGHT THAT GREATNESS MUST MEAN HAVING AUTHORITY OVER OTHERS.)

  exp. If that was true - Pastor's would be the greatest person in the local church as they have the most God given authority. 

note: (As much as that sounds appealing - that's not true.) Greatness is NOT a position.

app. You will not become a great Christian by obtaining a position of rule and authority. Don't bother applying to become a great Christian if you think a position is the answer.

transition: Great Christians are needed! But, don't bother applying if you think....

- self promotion will make you great.

- ambition will make you a great Christian.

- indignation will somehow change things.

- a position is the answer to being great for God.

 

SO HOW DO YOU BECOME A GREAT CHRISTIAN?

 

II. You can successfully apply ONLY if you believe the following.

A. "I am below all other believers." (No seniority, no rank, no title,....)

26  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

def. "minister" - diakonos - deacon - waiter, attendant

exp. "I have no right OF MYSELF to be over others or to tell others what to do."

ill. Counseling at The Wilds Christian Camp - 110 counselors plus operational staff....

Staff training - "Be the rug" - I am here to have you step on me.

exp. If you are the rug - you don't care if someone wipes their feet on you.

ill. Jesus had the mind set that he was below all men and not above them.

- Philippians 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

app. You are on your way to becoming a great Christian - when you really believe that you are below all other believers.

B. "I am happy to help other believers at their whim."

26  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

exp. It's kind of like this - WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE A GREAT CHRISTIAN TONIGHT - ok....

- who wants to give their order first to our waiter?

 ill. We enjoyed eating out this week at Nando's. Our waiter never asked us to do anything for him. But, whatever we wanted - all we had to do was ask.

ill. I can see some kids thinking - I really want my siblings to be great - SO - they can serve me.

 app. Are you a person who is seeking to make great Christians - but expecting others to help you at your whim and fancy - OR ARE YOU WAITING ON OTHER'S WHIMS?

C. "Every other believer deserves my service."

27  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

def. "servant" - bond slave - a servant by choice

Ill. The bond slave in the Bible - could be free - but he chose to remain out of love for his master.

Exodus 21:5  And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:

6  Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.

 ill. If you are a servant - you may have to do some menial tasks.

John 13:13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

16  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

17  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

 app. Do you want to know by experience the joy of what Jesus was teaching "happy are ye if ye do them." Get a towel and gird yourself to serve ALL OTHER BELIEVERS.

D. "I wait on the command of all other believers."

27  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

exp. Do you like to be told what to do?

 ill. Human nature - is perverse - you may have been about to do that very thing - but because someone told you to do it - the pride in your heart wants to rebel.

 ill. You may have been about to put a mask on to comply with covid rules - but then someone tells you that you HAVE TO PUT IT ON.

 exp. We don't like being told what to do. How much more so if the person telling you is a peer?

 ill. Try this with your children - you all have the authority to command each other.... not going to go down well - someone is going to get hurt....

exp. But, what a RARE blessing to a family if there is a child who will submit to all others to do what needs to be done.

 app. If we are going to be a great Christian - we need to be ready to be commanded by all other believers. (As you examine your heart on these points, You can begin to understand why a Great Christian may be a rarity.)

E. "I do not deserve assistance, I am here to assist." 

28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister

 ill. We live in the day of "seeker service" churches. A person contacts a church to find out what that church has for their children - their family - it's all about what they can get.

note: Jesus wouldn't look at a church like that. He would look for a church that needed something done and then HE WOULD DO IT.

IT DIDN'T MATTER IF NO ONE ELSE DID IT AND HE DID IT FOR YEARS.....HIS MOTTO WAS TO SERVE NOT BE SERVED.

exp. If you pick up an apron - you may find out that no one else picks one up - DOES THAT MATTER TO YOU?

 ill. Sometimes in ministry - nobody else will do what you are doing. Pastor's Fellowship

- Perhaps others don't have the facility.

- Perhaps others don't have the ability to coordinate and plan.

- Whatever the case - sometimes nobody else hosts one.....

 exp. Our flesh will say - well if no one else is going to do it, I'm not going to do it.....

 app. Or we can say - praise God - I don't deserve assistance, I'm here to assist. Which is it going to be? If you want to be a great Christian - you do it WILLINGLY even if no one else will do it.

F. "No matter the cost, I will pay it for my fellow believers."

28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

exp. Jesus didn't just come to serve. Jesus came to die. He would pay deeply for others.

 ill. At the restaraunt - the man came with the Bill and I said, "Oh - do I need to pay that? Now.... he said either that or there were a lot of pots needing to be washed.

exp. Benson didn't pay the bill - even though he has a job. The other boys didn't pay it though they have an allowance. My wife didn't pay the bill, even though she has some money - I paid it and felt like it was right that I paid it.

 exp. I enjoy paying for things that are a blessing to my family.

app. question: Do you enjoy paying for things that are a blessing to the family of God? Do you feel like it is right that you foot the bill for God's people - tithes, offerings, time, effort, etc.....

A great Christian is someone who is willing to "foot the bill" for the family of God.

G. "Is suffering involved, that's ok, I lay down my life for God's people." 

28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

exp. In coming to die, Jesus didn't just pay the price - Jesus suffered and died and he knew he would

John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

def. suffer - experience or be subjected to (something bad or unpleasant).

exp. It is not normal to chose to suffer. But, sometimes people do for the sake of others.

ill. Dillan Brinkley - needed a kidney transplant - Pastor Kent Gosmeyer - loved Dillan enough to suffer so that Dillan could live.

app. Do you chose to suffer for other believers, or is that too big a price for you to pay for God's people?

- What if serving God hurts you somehow? Hurts your family?

2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 

Conclusion:

God's help wanted sign is out - "GREAT CHRISTIANS NEEDED."

 

You need not apply if.....

- You are seeking self promotion.

- You think ambition will get you ahead.

- You are indignant that others want a higher place than you.

- You think a position is the anwer to being great for God

 

However - you can successfully apply if you can say in truth the following....

- "I am below all other believers."

- "I am happy to help other believers at their whim."

- "Every other believers deserves my service."

- "I wait on the command of all other believers."

- "I do not deserve assistance, I am here to assist."

- "No matter the cost, I will pay it for my fellow believers."

- "Is suffering involved? That's ok, I lay down my life for God's people."